Principal Rents and Welfare Reform Team Leader

Transcription

1 Job description Job title: Scale: Reporting to: Rent Team Leader G8 Principal Rents and Welfare Reform Team Leader Main Contacts: Team Members, Tenants, Northwards Housing staff, Manchester City Council, Revenue and Benefits Unit, DWP. and other external agencies Main purpose of the job: To manage a highly professional and responsive service to maximise rent income, promoting a rent first culture within the team, the wider organisation and with tenants. Ensure team engages and supports tenants to enable them to sustain their tenancies. Manage the performance of their team robustly and effectively, helping every member of staff reach their potential and maintaining focus on the objectives of the service. Work closely with all Northwards departments to ensure joined up working across the organisation. Establish strong working relationships with Council departments and relevant external agencies to ensure tenants receive all available support. Key areas of responsibility Rent Recovery Promotes a Rent First culture with tenants, their team and the wider organisation. To respond flexibly to the changing needs of the business and to support a variety of initiatives to maximise income. Ensure that all members of the team meet expectations in regard to technical competence, behaviours and activity. Understand in full and utilise the latest reporting tools and performance data to lead and direct their team. Adopt an innovative approach to problem solving, identifying obstacles and blockages, implementing effective solutions in conjunction with the team and senior management.

2 Be a positive and enthusiastic leader who empowers and supports Caseworkers to provide a high quality, tenant-focussed service. Ensure the Team understand and use the appropriate stages of legal action and lead the Team on carrying out evictions. Oversee the use and management of the Universal Credit Trusted Partner database and ensure full compliance with DWP requirements. Support the Legal Case Manager in taking legal action where necessary, ensuring the protocol has been followed by their team in each case. Sustainable tenancies Work closely with managers of teams throughout Northwards to promote a Rent First culture for all tenants, particularly with the New Tenancy Team. Ensure their team engages with tenants, offering advice and support to enable them to sustain their tenancy. Make sure team is fully up to speed with relevant legislation and regulation, how this affects our tenants and the steps that can be taken to mitigate the impact. Support the Senior Rent Caseworker in making full use of external data to improve rent collection and identify tenants who may need additional support. General Promote effective working relationships with Local Services and external agencies. Deliver a high quality service with a team that treats tenants with fairness and respect. Adopt the highest standards of personal and professional conduct in dealing with tenants, colleagues and other agencies. Be accountable for your own actions and the impact it has on the team ensure the team are accountable for their actions. To deputise for the Principal Team Leader, attending meetings or providing information as and when necessary. To represent Northwards at all times and demonstrate the core values of the organisation. To work at any location required by the business. To work flexibly and respond to the needs of the business at all times. Maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations and good practice requirements throughout the company.

3 Actively follow all Northwards policies including Equal Opportunities policies. As duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post holder. Carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by management. Where the postholder is disabled, every effort will be made to supply all necessary aids, adaptations or equipment to allow them to carry out all the duties of the job. If, however, a certain task proves to be unachievable, job redesign will be given full consideration.

4 PERSON SPECIFICATION Criteria Qualifications and Training 1. Evidence of continuous development. 2. Detailed understanding of current issues in Social Housing especially the impact of welfare reforms. Knowledge Skills 1. The ability to lead, coach and direct a team. Working positively and supportively with colleagues and other agencies. 2. To be numerate and able to produce clear, concise and accurate written correspondence. 3. An understanding of the Welfare Benefits system. 4. An understanding of current legislation with regard to rent arrears. 5. The ability to identify problems and offer recommendations for effective solutions. 6. The ability to use performance management data to identify areas for change, to manage staff and to ultimately boost income collection for Northwards. Essential Requirements necessary for safe and effective performance of the job Desirable Where available, elements that contribute to improved/immediate performance of the job Experience 1. Experience of leading a team 2. Ability to communicate effectively using a wide range of methods. 3. Experience of dealing with the public. 4. Ability to use a range of IT systems

5 5. Ability to analyse data and produce reports for performance management purposes that help to deliver a focussed service Personal Qualities/Attitudes 1. Able to work as part of a team with an open and honest approach creating a positive environment. 2. Proactive and creative approach to work which focuses on solutions not obstacles. 3. Commitment to the concept of tenant focus and ability to apply this in service delivery. 4. Adapt to change in conjunction with the needs of the business. 5. Able to deal with people who have rent arrears with tact and sensitivity. 6. Be self-motivated demonstrating a flexible attitude, which includes the willingness to work extended hours as appropriate and necessary. 7. The ability to challenge without confrontation. 8. To work positively and inclusively with colleagues and tenants so that the organisation provides a workplace and delivers services that do not discriminate against people on the ground of their age, sexuality, religion or belief, race, gender or disabilities. 9. Attend training when required and to be enthusiastic in developing own skills and knowledge and those of the caseworker team.